Meaning of place: a case study of congolese male migrants creating a sense of belonging through barbershops in Wesbank township
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Date
2024
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
This research study is set to focus on the everyday living experiences of male Congolese migrants who are living in a South African township called Wesbank. The study explores how African transnational migrants, such as the Congolese, create a sense of belonging through barbershop spaces to integrate into the broad community of Wesbank. Undoubtedly, helpful research studies have been conducted in the area (Blommaert et al., 2005; Velghe, 2012; Dyers, 2018). However, no in-depth research focuses on African transnational migrants and how they interpret the meaning of place based on their everyday living experiences. As a result, this research fills that gap by conducting a study on selected male Congolese barbershops in the Wesbank township, with the participants being Congolese barbers and Congolese clients who are the target. The argument of this study posits that male Congolese migrants residing in Wesbank, in their position as African transnational migrants, use barbershop spaces for community-building, to integrate and create a sense of belonging, and to engage in cultural exchange. In summation, Wesbank has become a place that has significant meaning to the Congolese community, and this research study helps us to understand that by exploring their everyday living experiences.
Drawing upon the theoretical framework of belonging as a foundation for this research, the study explores the experiences of Congolese migrants and their relationship with notions of belonging, identity, and place. Through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, the study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of Congolese migrants in Wesbank and the use of barbershops to create connections and meanings they ascribe to their location, sense of self, and belonging. The data for this research was collected at the barbershops. The methodological approach that was undertaken by this study was a qualitative approach, given that the research looked at the experiences of male Congolese migrants and their establishment of belonging through barbershops.
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Keywords
Barbershops, Congolese, Foreigners, Identity, Intersectionality